The phrase ‘O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive…’ might have been coined especially for Elizabeth Dulcie’s new thriller Corruption!

It wasn’t, of course, the quote is a line from Sir Walter Scott’s 1808 poem, Marmion, but it does provide a perfect summary of the plot of this third, and final instalment, of Dulcie’s Suzanne Jones series.

Corruption! is a more-ish deliciously twisty tangle of deception and false trails and crooks masquerading as caring family men. Continue reading →

It’s always interesting to do a Meet the Author Q&A with an author you’ve already met and thought you knew…

So, it was a bit of a surprise to discover that Graeme Cumming, author of the genre-busting Ravens Gathering, reviewed here on Book Lovers Booklist in March, has walked on hot coals and likes to eat poached egg and mashed potato.

This is one of those books I’ve always thought I should read, but it was only when it appeared on my local Book Club list, that I finally got around to it. It’s not a new release – in fact, it’s almost fifty years since it was published, so perhaps it could be described now as something of a classic. Continue reading →

There are some things that can’t be left unsaid. If you’re still looking for a last-minute summer holiday read, get yourself a copy of Megan Mayfair’s romance The Things We Leave Unsaid.

On one level, it’s a light, sparky read, peppered with wry asides.

Take this example: Clare, one of the two women at the heart of the story, was a virgin when she married her husband Pete.

Her boss, and new best friend, Tessa, who’s had lots of boyfriends but never been in love, prefers ‘to try before she buys, but then again, she didn’t think she would ever buy – so, sort of try before she leased? Illegal sub-let?’

If you’ve already read the first two parts in the wickedly funny Hattie Hastings trilogy by Audrey Davis, you don’t need me to tell you The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part Three is an equal delight.

And, if you haven’t read the series openers, why not?

You’re missing a treat.

Because, despite what can only be described as an ever so slightly bonkers plot – Hattie’s dead husband, Gary keeps popping back from the after-life to ensure his darling wife is getting her life back on track – this trio of novellas are pure sunshine.

Part Two ended with Hattie heading for Edinburgh to deliver a message on behalf of husband Gary’s other-world companion, Marty, aged eight-and-a-half, who wants to tell his mum and dad…

What the blurb says:

The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part Three: A ghostly and witty romantic comedy
Some people just won’t take death lying down …
Nothing lasts forever…

Could it be that Gary’s time on earth is coming to an end? His visits are less frequent and his visibility is fading fast.

But Gary still has a mission to accomplish, which involves Hattie and her ability to pass on a heart-rending message. And there’s something else he needs to do, but spirit guide Clarence isn’t proving very helpful.

Hattie’s best friend Cat’s ex-husband is determined to prove that he deserves another chance, but do leopards really change their spots?

About the author:

​Audrey Davis survived secondary school on the west coast of Scotland.

Rubbish at science, but not too bad at English, she originally wanted to be an actress but was persuaded that journalism was a safer option.

Probably wise.

She studied at Napier College in Edinburgh, the only place in Scotland at that time to offer a journalism course.

Her first foray into the hard-nosed newspaper world was as a junior reporter in Dumfriesshire. Duties included interviewing farmers about the prize-winning heifers to reporting on family tragedies.

Taggart

Davis eventually persuaded her editor to let her launch an entertainment column which meant meeting the odd celebrity – or just the downright odd. From there, she moved to the loftier rank of senior reporter back in her home patch. Slightly more money, less farm animals but a higher crime rate.

As Taggart would say: ‘There’s been a murrrrder!’

After a stint in London on a video magazine – yes, she is that old – Davis moved to Singapore with her fiancé. She tried valiantly to embrace the stinking heat, humidity and lack of jobs, although she did work briefly on a magazine which was banned by the government for ‘artistic’ use of naked men’s bottoms.

Next on her adventures was a land Down Under where her main focus was raising Cost Centre One (aka firstborn) and coming to terms with the imminent arrival of Number Two.

Still, she loved the Aussie way of life – BBQs, beaches and bring your own booze to restaurants – so it came as a blow when OH announced a move back to the UK.

Not a job between them, the climate a possible deal breaker and an Exorcist-style vomiting infant on the flight home didn’t bode well …

Bombshell

Always a survivor, Audrey sought out similar-minded friends (i.e. slightly bonkers), got the children into a good school and thought about taking up writing again.

Sadly, thinking about it was as far as she got, unless you count shopping lists. Then, hubby drops another bombshell.

Switzerland. As in – it’s packing time again. Off to the land of cheese, chocolate, scarily efficient trains and a couple of teeny, tiny issues. Like driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road and speaking a foreign language (French).

The former was conquered fairly quickly (we’ll skip over the wall demolition in week two), the latter remains an ongoing battle of the hopeful against the hopeless.

Writing Fiction

At least she provides amusement for the local workforce.

It wasn’t until 2016 that Audrey rediscovered her writing mojo with an online Writing Fiction course. From there, her first novel – A Clean Sweep – was born, although it took a bit longer than nine months from conception.

A short, darker prequel – A Clean Break – followed, and in November 2017 she published the first in a novella trilogy, The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part One. Part Two followed in March 2018 and Part Three is published today (July 30).